I hope to use this blog as an avenue to express my thoughts and adventures of all of my fishing expeditions and any other journeys I may undertake.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Building the Case for Your Favorite Fly Rod and Reel

I know all of us have favorites, weathers its auto’s or favorite fishing spots. I am no exception, especially when it comes to my fishing equipment. When I first started fly fishing many years ago, there was not much to choose from for the individual who could only afford low end rods and reels. Sure you could purchase the bamboos but only a few fishermen could go that route. Today there are quality rods and reels on the market that most fishermen can afford. That brings me to my post title; my favorite rod and reel. I have three set-ups I used all the time when I am fly fishing those being my 5wt. and my 3 wt., but the one I am really drawn to is the my Temple Fork 8 ½ ft. 4wt. This rod has the quality and affordability for someone like me who is on a fixed income. It is extremely light at 3.1 oz. and has the backbone to handle a large fish if the occasion arises. The fast taper and can shoot a 4 wt. line with little effort. Temple Fork has produced a great rod here in the Signature Series. To compliment this rod I choose a G-Loomis small arbor reel, with a free spool action. It balances out really well with TFO rod which makes casting a breeze. The main thing that impressed me about this reel was the free spool. I like the fact that I can touch spend the rim of the reel and take in large amounts of line in a matter of seconds. This is especially useful when you are trying to get a fish on the reel real quick and you need to get line away from your feet. I find myself using this set-up more and more. It is like an old pair of shoes that you get comfortable with; you just don’t want to change. What is your favorite fly rod and reel? What makes you want to stick with your go to favorite?

RussellI have the 3 wt. 7 1/2 ft. and it is even lighter than the 4 wt. I have. When you get your TF use this link http://www.percysflies.com/ and you will get 2 dozen flies with your rod purchase. It is the cheapest place on the net for TF rods. Thanks for the commnet

I also use Temple Fork rods. I have seven of them for different fishing times. My favorite is a 6wt loaded with a WF-7-S line on an SA System 2 reel. I fish mostly Henrys Lake with them so I usually take four rods with me with different sink rate lines. My favorite line is a Wet Cel II or Uniform Sink III. With this set up I fish water from eight to 12 feet deep. It can handle fish up to 10 pounds fairly easily. Check out my fishing blog for some of the success I had last summer.

I bought a 6 wt TFO Lefty Kreh Professional Series for Kelly and she's let me use it a bit. I like it a lot.I have two favorites... both 9 footers I use for bass. The first is my L.L. Bean Orion 7 wt (one the last Loomis made Bean rods- now they're made in China) with matching Orion reel. The second is actually a much less expensive rod. It was only like $75 new. It's a Browning Blacksmith Fork 8 wt. It's a six piece- great for travel, and casts really nicely for a six piece. It was sold at Bass Pro and was generated after BP took over fly rod production for Browning... BP has unfortunately quit producing Browning fly rods.

Bill S.What weight rods do you have? Do you use anything below a 5 wt ? I have not used a sinking line as of yet on the lake I fish but I am going to start this year, during the hot summer months. I need to get down deeper in the summer. For the money the TF brand is hard to beat. Thanks for the comment

JayBrowning made some outstanding fly rods in their day. The 7 and 8 wt. will handle those spots, but what about those gills? What wt do you use for the monster bluegills, and browns? I had the 6 wt. TF, but sold it to one of my buddies. You may think the reason I am giving you is crazy but I just couldn't get beyond the joint connections not matching the rod itself. Thanks for the comment

Bill,Interesting that you brought that up about the joints. They don't really bother me. The ferrules on the TFO 6wt Pro Series remind me a lot of what are called "spigot ferrules." I've read a lot of commentary online lately (for whatever reason) about folks that don't seem to understand that spigot ferrules aren't meant to bottom out and completely hide the joint. The TFO is unusual because the actual ferrules aren't actually spigot ferrules... instead they just stop the paint job with a thread wrap that has the alignment dot on it. I guess it may help reinforcement, but I kind of feel like they were going for the look of spigot ferrules... whereas on most rods they just paint the blank all the way to the end of the joint. True spigot ferrules are actually a separate insert that fits inside the blank. Spigot ferrules are (from my understanding) the best for achieving a smooth parabolic bend in a rod.Having said all that, if I was just going after Bluegills, I'd probably use a 5 wt or 6 wt. I've got a few of those too... I have more rods than one person need. I need more reels and lines.

JayAs you have already notice I am really picky about my fishing equipment. Everything has to look, feel, and perform to near perfection for me. I agree TF could have painted the rod down to the joint and concealed the joint area, I am referring to. When I bought the rod I was so impressed with the performance that I didn’t really notice the joints. As time pasted, every time I put the rod together to use it, I kept noticing the joints, which of course cause me to sell it. Yesterday on the lake was not good two spots. The water temp was 55. I am still looking for 60 degree water. I will be doing a short post on the trip in a few days.

I'm ready for warmer temps too. 2 Spots is much better than my fishing last weekend. Saw lots of fish, scared lots of fish, had fish follow my fly, but just couldn't get one to take. It was bad.Just let me know when conditions are perfect down there, and I'll be happy to join you.

PatWe are looking at late April or early May. I got some craws from Pat at "Warm Water Journal" the other day and I can't wait to try them out in the next couple of weeks on Smith for the spots. I know you have seen his flies, he has got to be the best at detail flies I have ever seen. Looking forward to our trip

KevI know what you are talking about. I got just about all my fly fishing combo's from past Christmas---to go out and just buy it does not go over well with my wife. Thanks for the compliment and for the comment.

My first rod is by far my favorite. I have had it for around 15 years now. It is the only one I use for trout fishing. It is a 7 foot 3wt made by Cortland. I have caught smallies, largemouth, panfish, trout, catfish, and other assorted goodies on it. I even broke it once and sent it back to be fixed.

I have been thinking about getting a TFO rod. Glad to hear a number of people like them.

smokinpriceMy son has a Courtland and he broke the tip off, but has never sent it back. I will get him to break down and return it. I know what you are talking about in reference to your light rod, I have a 3 wt TF and really like it. It is a hoot to land fish much more superior to this rod. Thanks for the comment.

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About Me

I am an avid fly fisherman. I started fishing with my dad when I was five years old and have never known life without fishing. The love of the outdoors has been one of the reasons I have enjoyed fishing for all these years. It is the greatest therapy in the world. When I am on the water I forget about everything else except landing that elusive trout, bluegill, crappie or bass.